Bishop Anagbe Calls on Government to Resettle Yelewata IDPs

The Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, has called on the government to urgently resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Yelewata and facilitate their safe return to their ancestral homes.

Bishop Anagbe made the call while delivering a homily at the first anniversary commemoration of the Yelewata massacre held in Yelewata on Saturday.

The cleric lamented the harsh and dehumanising conditions under which many of the displaced persons are currently living in camps, insisting that government efforts should focus on restoring affected communities and enabling residents to return home in safety and dignity.

His call comes ahead of the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Benue State on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

The visit is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative, a nationwide programme aimed at empowering women, strengthening families and supporting vulnerable groups.

Senator Tinubu had, in July 2025, donated N1 billion through the initiative to support families displaced by the June 13, 2025 attack on Yelewata, a border community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The intervention was intended to help displaced families rebuild their livelihoods, facilitate their return to normal life and support the education of children affected by the tragedy.

However, concerns have continued to trail the utilisation of the funds, with several groups and citizens calling for accountability.

The Benue Development Forum (BDF), in a statement signed by its Secretary, Silas Iorpenda, urged the First Lady to seek explanations regarding the management of the N1 billion intervention, arguing that the current living conditions of the Yelewata IDPs do not reflect the impact expected from such a substantial donation.

The group cited the deaths of some displaced persons, including Mrs. Iwuese Gowon and young Damian Ahanbee, who reportedly died following snake bites at the Ortese IDP Camp, alleging inadequate access to healthcare and emergency support.

Similarly, social media influencer Asom D. Jerry and several concerned citizens have called on Senator Tinubu to demand accountability for the intervention fund, insisting that transparency is necessary to address public concerns and ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive adequate support.

The calls come as many displaced families continue to demand their return to ancestral homes, nearly a year after the attack that forced them into camps.